Connecticut has some of the nation’s largest achievement gaps between white students and students of color. To close them, Connecticut’s schools must do a much better job of serving low-income, black, and Hispanic students. But, because one-third to one-half of the achievement gap exists before children start school, efforts to close those gaps must also start earlier, in the preschool and early childhood years.
preschool
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Gov. Malloy’s ‘Smart Start’ picks winners … but we all lose
The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood and the Gov. Dannel Malloy recently announced the first round of winners in the Smart Start initiative. And while they acknowledged that many school districts opted not to apply, they fail to acknowledge the glaring truth about the reason, i.e. this is a bad initiative and a bad prescription for […]
Posted inEducation
State lands federal funds to move toward universal preschool
Connecticut has landed federal funding to offer high-quality preschool to hundreds of additional children from low-income families, with an emphasis on those who are homeless or in foster care.
Posted inEducation
Third time a charm? State again seeks federal preschool funding
Connecticut leaders are asking the federal government for $47.6 million so hundreds of foster and homeless children can attend a high-quality preschool. Though children from all families in poverty will be eligible for the expanded preschool program, the state says it will give priority to children who are homeless or in foster care.
Posted inEducation
Changing kindergarten entrance age: Fifth plan the charm?
Once again, the legislature will consider changing the age children must be to enter kindergarten — a proposal that has been made many times before but has never resulted in a change in state law.
Posted inEducation, Money, Politics
Horse-trading on Derby day: preschool for property taxes?
The state House of Representatives took a step Saturday toward curbing the property-tax exemption enjoyed by nonprofit hospitals and colleges — and what the House members hope will be a bigger step toward improving relations with the Senate.
Posted inEducation
Malloy, lawmakers: dueling plans for ‘universal access’ to pre-k
When Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed providing “universal access” to preschool, he said it would cost the state an additional $51.1 million a year. When Democratic legislators released their plans two months later to provide “universal access,” they said it would cost the state $10 million a year. Why such a huge difference?
Posted inEducation
Democrats unveil plan, and funding, for step toward universal pre-K
Thousands of Connecticut students start kindergarten each year already trailing their peers academically because they didn’t attend preschool. Democratic legislative leaders announced Wednesday they intend to pass legislation that will pay for thousands more children to enroll in public schools’ preschool programs.
Posted inEducation, Money
Malloy proposes universal preschool access
The governor is proposing that every child in Connecticut have access to preschool by 2018.
Posted inEducation
Connecticut’s early education plan gets a C, no federal funds
Gov. Malloy visits a preschool in Meriden with his director of early education and education commissioner The U.S. Department of Education has rejected Connecticut’s request for $37.5 million in Race to the Top funds aimed at overhauling day care centers and preschools by attempting to ensure they are safe and providing educational value. “The State […]